What Is Floating?

If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, or your body feels run down and tired, there is a good chance that it needs full, uninterrupted rest.

Most of us are living hectic lives juggling work, family commitments, plus our own wellbeing.

How many times have you said no to self-care because you are ‘too busy.’ We can all relate to that! Right?   But it’s when you are ‘too busy’ that you actually need self-care the most!  As the saying goes, ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup.’

When we think of resting, we often imagine sitting on a couch or lying in bed. While your body may be comfortable, your brain still has to filter through the sound of the environment, cars, the TV, or people talking.  Your senses are still working hard to detect smells.  Your eyes are processing information at an astonishing rate.  You can feel the clothes on your body or the pressure of the bed on your back. Your brain is constantly stimulated, and it never gets a chance to recharge. 

Floating

 Floating was developed in the 1950’s by neuroscientist John C Lilly and was used to study the effects of sensory deprivation in patients suffering from anxiety disorders, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Over the years the float tank has developed into a tool that helps a wide range of people suffering from muscular or skeletal pain, to athletes, to those seeking a break from everyday life. Peer reviewed studies compliment over 60 years of anecdotal evidence (www.clinicalfloatation.com).

Floating is also known as R.E.S.T (restricted environment stimulation therapy) OR sensory deprivation.  Basically, it works by depriving your senses i.e. reducing stimulation to parts of the brain so that you can have the ultimate relaxation. 

TOUCH: By using 500kg of Epsom Salts to create a super saturated solution, it allows your body to float effortlessly on the surface of the water and relieve your body from the forces of gravity.

The water and air are heated to the same temperature as the skin (approx. 34.5 degrees Celsius).  So, you can’t feel where your fingers end, and the water begins. 

SIGHT: The room is dark so that when you choose to turn out the lights, your eyes can rest in a comforting darkness that is the same if you open or close them.

SOUND: The room is soundproofed so that you cannot hear any external noise.

SMELL: There are no smells or odours in the float environment.

This is the perfect environment to relax and recharge

Mental Benefits

The evidence published suggests floating is a safe and effective technique for the rapid reduction of stress, pain, and anxiety.

The most common feeling experienced after a float is a sense of deep mental relaxation. When you don’t have to process all this outside information, it leaves your mind free to problem solve, be creative, learn, or simply to meditate, rest, and relax.

After you step out of the tank, you may feel your senses are sharpened, your mind is refreshed, and the world may appear more vibrant.

The feeling you get is often one of peace, relaxation, happiness, and calmness.

This feeling can stay with you for a few days after your float.

Physical benefits

As your mind experiences a sense of calm, your body begins to relax as well. This allows an opportunity for your body to realign itself. 

It is common to feel relief from physical tension in the neck, back and joints.

Clinical research investigating Floatation, although limited, has reported largely beneficial effects across a range of different stress- and pain-related conditions, including: hypertension, chronic tension headaches, chronic muscle tension pain in the back and neck, and stress-related pain with “burnout depression”.

A big physical benefit enjoyed by many is the benefit of an excellent night’s sleep following a float. This is great for those suffering from insomnia or those recovering from shift work or jet lag. 

What to expect?

When you step inside the front door of Clear Mind Studio, we want you to feel at ease. This is your time to relax and leave all your worries outside.

Think of our studio as a place of comfort and safety.

You will be greeted by our friendly staff who will guide you through our studio towards your private float room.

At Clear Mind studio, we have two pods and one open float pool. They are in their own private room with a shower and change area, so that when you float you know that you won’t be disturbed.

Our staff will explain that you are in full control of the environment and will show you how to work the light inside the tank, as well as any tips to make the experience as relaxing as possible. There is also a call button if you ever need any assistance.

Once you have a quick shower, you can step inside the pod or pool and ease yourself into the water in the same way you might step into a bath. Take this time to get used to the floating sensation and find a comfortable position on your back.

Now all you need to do is relax and enjoy the feeling of doing nothing for the next hour. You can choose to have the light on or off, and if you are in the pod room you can close the lid to get the full experience.

Music will come back on 5 minutes before the end of your session to let you know it’s time to get out. Once you have a shower, you can get changed, visit our vanity room if you need to use a mirror or hairdryer, then head to our architecturally designed relaxation room for a cosy cup of herbal tea, cold pressed juice or water. Stay here as long as you wish, there’s no need to hurry. Relax. 

Image courtesy of Floataway